Beneath The Sun

The man slipped into the tavern at the corner of the crowded street. He found crowds and the babble of the public irritating. It would be downright stifling inside the tavern too, but the last few days of his leave were almost up and a drink was in order.

He very much wanted to bring her along as well but she could not stand the crowd that frequented such places, especially with the summer heat and what the midday sun did to working men. Every moment without her was a moment lost forever, but he would be back shortly.

He saw an old man sitting at the bar, one of the regulars, and proceeded to join him. No invitation was necessary, they were already familiar with each other - although he sometimes wondered how the man always recognized him, being mired in drink whenever they met. Although, he himself was amazed that he could manage to make out anything at all through the copious mist hanging inside.

“Hello, how goes it?” he asked politely as he sat down on one of the rickety barstools.

“Very well, thanks. Oh, it’s you then.” the old man said, after lifting his head which had been hovering slightly above the rim of the mug. “Not seen you in these here parts lately.”

“Right, because you would make me out so easily. No mistake whatsoever.”

There was a slight pause, seemingly awkward, before the old man guffawed. “’tis true, ‘tis true, I probably wouldn’t. Sometimes I can’t make meself out in the bar mirror, truth be told.” the old man said gaily.

“No, no you’re right, haven’t been here too much. Never had a passion for drinking the way you do,” he said, “But I’ve been spending a lot of time with my wife and she prefers I not frequent such dives. I don’t have a lot of days left before I go back.”

“Hmm, wise woman that. And pretty too, no doubt? She’s not wrong, family is always important boy. Sad that most your age go romping around instead,” the old man said, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder towards the raucous, carousing patrons behind them.

“Still, good to have you here. Now, let us share drink, eh?” the old man proposed.

v   

They downed their drinks and continued talking. In an overtly shady establishment as this, teeming with dubious characters, the old man, well beyond his prime, with his remarkable stories stood out. Were he not here, the man might have kept entirely to himself and drunk alone. He did not much fancy such crowds either.

“Probably don’t have to tell you, but sure you know by now what’s going on in the south…” the old man said casually after gulping down the last of his ale.

“Yes, I’ve picked that up. Doesn’t sound too good, could become a mess,” the man replied. The old man was always informed about everything. How and where he got his information, the man could only wonder.

“Think you might be called upon? I mean if……….well you know.” the old man asked, in a surprisingly delicate manner, in spite of the drink.

“Maybe. I don’t know. If it does worsen, I could be, like many of us will. It’s why I’ve been spending so much time with my wife. Never know when the messenger might come banging on the door.” he finished.

“Hmm….……well, let’s have another drink then. To you and your good wife. And hoping that messenger don’t show up. And if he does, well then………all the best.” he said.

v   

After the drink was over, the man said his farewell to the other and started towards the door. He looked apprehensively at the large oak door on the other side of the hall, not relishing the prospect of negotiating his way and bumping against several patrons to get there. Before he could leave though, the old man tapped him on the arm.

“You should know this.” He paused, as if trying to choose the next few words carefully, “He is here. Was spotted getting off one of the ships that docked in just yesterday.”

The man was confused and had no idea who or what the old man was blabbering about. He is here? Who was here?

But then he realized. Yes, it could only be one.

Him.

Collecting himself, he asked, “Really? What’s he doing here?”

“No idea, just know that he came into town yesterday. Hasn’t been seen since he got off the dock.”

“Interesting. Well, thank you for letting me know.” And with that, he gathered his coat and got off the chair.

“Yeah, just thought you oughta know. I’m rather hoping you both don’t run into each other….sure half the city is hoping that,” the old man said with a parting gesture

“Very amusing. Don’t worry, the streets won’t run red yet. That’s quite a bit of news. Take care, until next time then. And don’t drink too much. Seriously, you do.”

And with that, the man donned his coat and inched his way slowly to the door, through the sea of inebriated.